It is taxing and irrelevant to most people when a diverse neighborhood like Queens District 3 takes notice of a subject that is often devalued. Helping out another individual within the neighborhood from the simplest of things, like taking their time to give care for those in need, shows that people value their community. Normally, such activities like volunteering programs are constantly ignored by the public. Explained by professional through the concept of Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, community related volunteering programs impact youth and seniors overall wellbeing. What most do not know about this generous act of kindness is its ability to actually increase one’s overall happiness and satisfaction.
“It’s as if my calling to go there and make my person (the person she is matched with) smile,” she says. This heart filling experience is such a valuable contribution to the community. While the program consist of eighty active volunteers, thirteen English-speaking and one Spanish-speaking homebound senior citizens in the community, Coordinator of the program Erin Neubauer-Keyes, MSW never fails in matching volunteers and seniors. Keyes said, “There are a lot of seniors who feel lonely, and at times neglected by their family. To make a friend from the community when they can barely get out of the house means well to them.”
The first step is never easy. This lengthy, thorough and time cringing process that is nevertheless helpful. Volunteering for three years, Genevive Scandone of Sunny Side Community Service (SCS) talks about her enjoyable commitment to participate. While there are several volunteer services in the community available for both youth and seniors, Scandone decides to delegate her time once a week in the Friendly Visiting Program, initiated by Meals-on-Wheels. The focus of this successful program is to connect homebound seniors who are unable to get out of the house to visit friends. They find new friends in connecting with volunteers who shares similar interests. Scandone mentions that volunteering filled in the gap that she was missing in her life.
But of course, volunteering is a series of process. While it is such a wonderful experience to help out, it is not as simple as attending an event or just going to a stranger’s house. Keyes explained, “First, you have to do the paperwork. Volunteers have to be eighteen years old and pass a criminal background check and their history. Afterwards, I personally call the references they have provided to see if they are perfect fit for the program.” This process is the lengthy part of the process due to difficulty in getting in touch with people for references but it’s better to makes sure its a safe place for all volunteer to go. On the next step, the matching process occurs. “Volunteers and seniors will be based according to their neighborhood, preferences and personality that will work for both ends,” said Keyes. After all requirements are met, volunteers and seniors are then provided an opportunity to learn about each other. Starting with observation and shadowing another volunteer, new volunteers can initiate developing rapport with their match. Once they feel comfortable with each other and both volunteer and senior are in agreement, volunteer can commence with the program. However, there are times that issues come up with volunteering. Keyes mentioned, “Not everybody is for everybody, everyone have different expectations of reality.” According to Keyes, there are times that volunteers sign up and not follow through because they get busy and they never go back. Even so, she hopes that both volunteer and match gain a friend from the program. Ultimately, befriending the seniors and engaging them in social activities lets them feel a sense of belonging, and reduces their feeling of isolation,” said Dr. Daniele Artistico. Basically, having volunteers around bridges communication and positive relationship within the community.
“Bridging connection with the younger generation can help adults feel a greater sense of fulfillment,” said Dr. Artistico. That is when you know the volunteering experience is worth it. Dr. Daniele Artistico Ph.D, is an associate professor of the Psychology Department and the Mental Health Counseling Program at Baruch College. With more than a decade of specialization in Gerontology and Personality Science, he elaborates on Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, which states that elderly tend to be very selective about who they want to be with because they are very aware that they don’t have a lot of time left. “They are living the expectation that they are not long from passing away so they want to make the most of their time in this life, and in order to do that they are trying to make relationships that are meaningful. That’s why from the start, they need to be agreeing and having fun.” Having such meaningful relationship optimizes the health of the elderly. They get such a well-being boost that buffers against depression. Dr. Artistico gave us some insight on the advantage of having social programs within the community. Dr. Artistico said, “Communicating with elderly will fulfill the need of being part of other group, engage them intellectually and will give them a sense of purpose.”
Based on research, psychologist renowned for his psychosocial stages in the 1960’s Erik Erikson addressed one of his findings in the social development across the lifespan. He defined the final stage of emotional development is experienced around the age of 60 and older. In this case, people involved in community related volunteer programs like the Friendly Visiting Program is a way of allowing people to find meaning in their lives and make sense of the lives they have lived. Erikson’s psychosocial stages are met by psychological needs of individual conflicting with the needs of society. He mentions as to what renders in making volunteering activities such an effective tool in developing positive attributes in intergenerational relationships. In this aspect, Dr. Artistico refers to Bandura’s communal collective self-efficacy theory in discussing how this is beneficial for both the younger generation and seniors. Especially in today’s world when reality becomes more challenging with social and cognitive changes, these transitional realities increases demand on collective efficacy. People have the power to select and shape their environmental context. According to Dr. Artistico, this theory really proves that seniors should get involved socially and emotionally with the community because it will make the elderly more graceful about their aging. Also, communication within the community increases one’s sense of mastery, which is a big part of efficacy. “They feel more valued. The more you can do, the more efficacious you feel about the task and this will definitely increase their sense of agency. It can make them feel better about their self,” said Dr. Artistico. Through collective action, people can improve their lives.
Social support plays an important role in one’s livelihood while communication and developing rapport makes individuals feel they belong. Overall, volunteering in social programs is a way to give back to your community. Still, addressing this matter is not easy nor does it get the attention that it deserves within the community but to inform that it’s available to anyone is a step forward in making a big difference, by making a friend.